Young Vic Reveals Star-Studded 2026/27 Season Lineup, Featuring Thelma & Louise Musical Premiere
Experience a Season of Innovation and Emotion: The Young Vic's Unforgettable 2026/27 Lineup
Thelma & Louise: A Groundbreaking Musical Premiere Kicking Off the Season
The 2026/27 season at the Young Vic will dramatically commence with the global debut of a fresh musical rendition of "Thelma & Louise." This highly anticipated production features Rachel Tucker and Amy Lennox in the iconic leading roles, with an original score crafted by the acclaimed, Grammy-nominated artist Neko Case. Callie Khouri, the original Academy and Golden Globe Award-winning screenwriter of the film, has penned the book for this stage adaptation, which will be brought to life under the direction of Trip Cullman. Rachel Tucker, known for her performances in "Wicked" and "Come From Away," will portray Louise, while Amy Lennox, from "Cabaret" and "Kinky Boots," takes on the role of Thelma. This ambitious co-production involves the Young Vic, Sonia Friedman Productions, Blue Spruce Productions, Ley Line Entertainment, and Callie Khouri, developed in partnership with MGM On Stage, with Mandy Greenfield and Sonia Friedman Productions serving as the creative producers. The musical is scheduled to run from September 3 to October 24.
"Eurotrash": Ben Whishaw and Kathryn Hunter Lead English-Language Premiere
Following the musical's opening, November will see the Young Vic's Main House host the English-language premiere of "Eurotrash." Adapted by Colin Teevan from Christian Kracht's widely acclaimed novel and directed by Walter Meierjohann, this production stars the notable duo Kathryn Hunter and Ben Whishaw, who previously collaborated in Netflix's "Black Doves." The play delves into the complex journey of a son and his aging mother embarking on a tumultuous Alpine road trip, burdened by a fortune with questionable origins. This presentation is a collaborative effort between the Young Vic and Red Peter Productions, a company co-founded by Hunter, Meierjohann, and Teevan in 2025. Performances are slated from November 13 to January 9, 2027. Hunter expressed her excitement at embodying her character's unique traits alongside Whishaw, while Whishaw shared his eagerness to explore the profound mother-son dynamic at the heart of Kracht's compelling novel.
"La Distance" and "dissent": Exploring Humanity's Depths and Societal Complicity
The season continues into January 2027 with the UK premiere of "La Distance," a play written and directed by Tiago Rodrigues, who currently leads the Festival d'Avignon. First presented at Avignon in 2025, the narrative explores the strain on a father-daughter relationship across vast cosmic distances as one protagonist embarks on a new life on Mars while Earth faces decay. Original cast members Adama Diop and Alison Dechamps will reprise their roles in this production, which will be performed in French with English surtitles, running from January 22 to February 13, 2027. Subsequently, Olivier and BAFTA Award-winning playwright debbie tucker green returns to the Young Vic, known for her previous work "ear for eye," with the world premiere of "dissent." This new play confronts the unsettling ease with which ordinary individuals can become accessories to heinous acts, scheduled from March 5 to April 24, 2027.
Concluding the Main House Season: August Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean"
The Main House program for the 2026/27 season will draw to a close with the first UK staging in two decades of August Wilson's powerful play, "Gem of the Ocean." Artistic director Nadia Fall will personally direct this revival, which is set to run from May 14 to July 10, 2027. This production promises to be a significant theatrical event, bringing Wilson's profound storytelling to a new generation of UK audiences.
Maria Studio's Dynamic Offerings: From Immersive Shedinburgh to "Girls" Revival
Meanwhile, the Maria Studio will host its own vibrant schedule of performances. The popular Edinburgh Fringe pop-up, Shedinburgh, will make its London debut from September 19 to October 10. This immersive experience will feature a reconstructed shed venue showcasing over 40 performances from a diverse range of artists, including Inua Ellams, Sara Pascoe, Bryony Kimmings, and Rosie Jones. Presented by Francesca Moody Productions in association with the Young Vic, this event promises a taste of the Fringe's unique creativity. Inua Ellams will also headline a special "R.A.P. Party" event on October 14, a tribute to the late D'Angelo, featuring ten contemporary poets responding to his debut album "Brown Sugar." Later in the Maria Studio, Ewa Dina, the recipient of the 2026 JMK Award, will make her directorial debut at the Young Vic with a revival of Theresa Ikoko's "Girls." This play centers on three teenage friends whose lives are tragically disrupted after they are abducted from their homes by armed insurgents, running from October 22 to November 21.
A Season of Global Narratives and Unbounded Creativity
Nadia Fall, the artistic director, shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming season, highlighting its embrace of powerful international narratives and the transformative nature of the Young Vic's spaces. She noted that the programming will transport audiences across diverse landscapes, from the American Midwest to Nigeria, and from the Swiss Alps to the enigmatic red planet in the outer reaches of our solar system. Fall emphasized the season's broad appeal, encompassing everything from major musical productions to experimental new works and a celebration of the creative energy and anarchic spirit of the Edinburgh Fringe. She expressed her eagerness to share this comprehensive and inspiring program with the public.
